Quality of life in Romanian patients with schizophrenia based on gender, type of schizophrenia, therapeutic approach, and family history

The low quality of life of patients with schizophrenia has been extensively discussed and investigated. Various aspects from gender, socio-demographic profile, and/or type of neuroleptic treatment have been taken into account in describing this condition. The purpose of this study is to assess the perceived quality of life of Romanian patients suffering from schizophrenia and to correlate it with gender differences, type of schizophrenia, family history of psychiatric illness, and type of antipsychotic treatment. 143 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM IV-TR and ICD 10 were included in the study. Social demographic data were documented and further assessment was performed using the Subjective Well Being under Neuroleptic Treatment Scale –the short form (SWN-S) and the short version of the WHO- Questionnaire for The Quality of Life (WHO-QoL-BREF). The mental functioning dimension was higher in men than women; the social integration dimension was higher for the residual type of schizophrenia. Emotional regulation and the capacity of social integration did not show significant differences between patients who had a family history of mental illness and those who did not. Levels of self-control and physical functioning were better for patients treated with atypical antipsychotics and who did not report a family history of psychiatric illness. All five dimensions of the SWN-S were higher in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics, compared to those who were treated with typical antipsychotics. The study showed that for people with schizophrenia mental functioning was better preserved in men, in patients who did not have a family history of psychiatric illness, and in patients who were treated with atypical antipsychotics. The level of social integration was better in patients who were treated with atypical antipsychotics but this effect depended on the type of schizophrenia

Quality of life in Romanian patients with schizophrenia based on gender, type of schizophrenia, therapeutic approach, and family history

The low quality of life of patients with schizophrenia has been extensively discussed and investigated. Various aspects from gender, socio-demographic profile, and/or type of neuroleptic treatment have been taken into account in describing this condition. The purpose of this study is to assess the perceived quality of life of Romanian patients suffering from schizophrenia and to correlate it with gender differences, type of schizophrenia, family history of psychiatric illness, and type of antipsychotic treatment. 143 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM IV-TR and ICD 10 were included in the study. Social demographic data were documented and further assessment was performed using the Subjective Well Being under Neuroleptic Treatment Scale –the short form (SWN-S) and the short version of the WHO- Questionnaire for The Quality of Life (WHO-QoL-BREF). The mental functioning dimension was higher in men than women; the social integration dimension was higher for the residual type of schizophrenia. Emotional regulation and the capacity of social integration did not show significant differences between patients who had a family history of mental illness and those who did not. Levels of self-control and physical functioning were better for patients treated with atypical antipsychotics and who did not report a family history of psychiatric illness. All five dimensions of the SWN-S were higher in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics, compared to those who were treated with typical antipsychotics. The study showed that for people with schizophrenia mental functioning was better preserved in men, in patients who did not have a family history of psychiatric illness, and in patients who were treated with atypical antipsychotics. The level of social integration was better in patients who were treated with atypical antipsychotics but this effect depended on the type of schizophrenia

One-Step Preparation of Carboxymethyl Cellulose—Phytic Acid Hydrogels with Potential for Biomedical Applications

Hydrogels based on natural, biodegradable materials have gained considerable interest in the medical field due to their improved drug delivery profiles and tissue-mimicking architecture. In this regard, this study was devoted to the preparation and characterization of new physically crosslinked hydrogels based on carboxymethyl cellulose and an unconventional crosslinking agent, phytic acid. Phytic acid, in addition to its antioxidant and antibacterial effects, can improve the biological properties and stability of gels, without adding toxicity. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, rheological studies and thermal analysis confirmed the hydrogel formation. The influence of the ratio between the cellulose derivative and the crosslinker upon the morphological structure and water uptake was evidenced by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and swelling measurements in simulated body fluids. Furthermore, procaine was entrapped within the hydrogels and used as a model drug for in vitro studies, which highlighted the dependence of the drug release on the phytic acid content of the matrix. The materials demonstrated antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The biocompatibility was assessed on fibroblast cells, and according to our results, hydrogels can improve cell viability highlighting the potential of these systems as therapeutic scaffolds for skin tissue engineering

Risk factors and consequences of traumatic brain injury in a Swiss male population cohort

Objective To investigate the risk factors for and the consequences (ie, substance use disorders (SUD), depression, personality traits) of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in young Swiss men.Design This is a three-wave cohort study. Risk factors were measured at baseline (2010–2012) and at follow-up 1 (FU1; 2012–2014), while the consequences and TBI were measured at follow-up 2 (FU2; 2016–2018).Setting Switzerland.Participants All participants at FU2 (Mage=25.43, SD=1.25) of the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors (N=4881 young Swiss men after listwise deletion).Measures The outcomes measured were TBI, SUD (ie, alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, other illicit drugs), depression and personality traits (ie, sensation seeking, anxiety-neuroticism, sociability, aggression-hostility) at FU2. The predictors were previous TBI (lifetime TBI but not in the past 12 months at FU2), SUD, personality traits and sociodemographics (highest level of achieved education, age, linguistic region) measured at FU1.Results At FU2, 3919 (80.3%) participants reported to never have had TBI, 102 (2.1%) have had TBI in the last 12 months (TBI new cases), and 860 (17.6%) have had TBI during their lifetime but not in the 12 months preceding FU2 (previous TBI). Low educational attainment (OR=3.93, 95% CI 2.10 to 7.36), depression (OR=2.87, 95% CI 1.35 to 6.11), nicotine dependence (OR=1.72, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.71), high sociability (OR=1.18, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.30), high aggression-hostility (OR=1.15, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.26) and high sensation seeking (OR=1.33, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.68) at FU1 were significantly associated with TBI new cases at FU2. Previous TBI was significantly associated with nicotine dependence (OR=1.46, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.83), depression (OR=2.16, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.99) and aggression-hostility (B=0.14, 95% CI >0.00 to 0.28) at FU2.Conclusion Low educational attainment and depression are the most significant risk factors associated with increased odds of future TBI, while depression, nicotine dependence and high aggression-hostility are the main consequences of previous TBI. TBI should be considered an underlying factor in the treatment of depression, SUD or unfavourable personality profiles

Chemical Composition of Celandine (<i>Chelidonium majus</i> L.) Extract and its Effects on <i>Botrytis tulipae</i> (Lib.) Lind Fungus and the Tulip

In this study, the content of chelidonine and berberine alkaloids, and sterols and phenols in the Chelidonium majus plant extract were analyzed. Subsequently, the effects of the extract on the germination and growth of Botrytis tulipae fungus on nutritive medium were compared to the effects of fluconazole. The plant extract was used at the minimum inhibitory concentration on B. tulipae developed in tulip leaves and the in vivo effects were investigated. The influence of different concentrations of C. majus extract on the physiological processes of the tulip (gas exchange parameters, photosynthetic light use efficiency, and induced chlorophyll fluorescence) were also tested to assess the applicability of the extract for the protection of ornamental plants against fungal infection. Our results demonstrated that 2% celandine extract does not significantly change the gas exchange parameters (transpiration rate, carbon dioxide uptake, and stomatal conductivity) of leaves exposed for 2 h, and does not interfere with the photochemical processes in the leaves. However, in higher concentrations, it increases the transpiration rate and net carbon dioxide influx. At concentrations of 15% and 20%, the extract lowers the potential quantum yield efficiency of photosystem II and the vitality index of the photosynthetic apparatus. Therefore we recommend the use of lower concentrations (≤6%) of celandine extract for the biological protection of tulips against gray mold

Chemical Composition of Celandine (<i>Chelidonium majus</i> L.) Extract and its Effects on <i>Botrytis tulipae</i> (Lib.) Lind Fungus and the Tulip

In this study, the content of chelidonine and berberine alkaloids, and sterols and phenols in the Chelidonium majus plant extract were analyzed. Subsequently, the effects of the extract on the germination and growth of Botrytis tulipae fungus on nutritive medium were compared to the effects of fluconazole. The plant extract was used at the minimum inhibitory concentration on B. tulipae developed in tulip leaves and the in vivo effects were investigated. The influence of different concentrations of C. majus extract on the physiological processes of the tulip (gas exchange parameters, photosynthetic light use efficiency, and induced chlorophyll fluorescence) were also tested to assess the applicability of the extract for the protection of ornamental plants against fungal infection. Our results demonstrated that 2% celandine extract does not significantly change the gas exchange parameters (transpiration rate, carbon dioxide uptake, and stomatal conductivity) of leaves exposed for 2 h, and does not interfere with the photochemical processes in the leaves. However, in higher concentrations, it increases the transpiration rate and net carbon dioxide influx. At concentrations of 15% and 20%, the extract lowers the potential quantum yield efficiency of photosystem II and the vitality index of the photosynthetic apparatus. Therefore we recommend the use of lower concentrations (≤6%) of celandine extract for the biological protection of tulips against gray mold